USP (United States Pharmacopeia) is an independent, scientific nonprofit organisation founded in 1820. It develops and publishes rigorous quality standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients, with the aim of building trust in the safety and quality of the global medicine supply. Its standards carry official recognition in the United States under the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and are acknowledged in more than 140 countries.
The organisation's work falls into four main areas: documentary standards, developed through collaboration with expert volunteers and member organisations; reference standards, which are physical and documented reference materials used to support analytical testing; verification services, which assess compliance of products against USP standards; and education and training programmes designed to support the implementation of quality standards and strengthen healthcare systems.
USP operates from twenty locations worldwide and employs more than 1,300 professionals. It functions through a convention of member organisations and expert volunteers, reflecting its model of scientific collaboration across the pharmaceutical, regulatory, and public health sectors. Its stated values centre on scientific rigour, equity, integrity, and global cooperation.
